From the Editor: As spring rolls around again, this
little reminder of the importance of the work that we all do
every day may be helpful. Sue Drapinski is the Treasurer of
the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan. This is
what she says:

The importance of the NFB of Michigan's tutoring
program and the ongoing education of our blind children is
immeasurable. However, the education of the general public
about blindness issues and the capabilities of those who are
blind must also be a high priority. Today's blind and
sighted children are the best teachers. The following
tradition in our family demonstrates how easy it would be if
only society could see things through the eyes of a child.

Each year our family has a barbecue on Memorial Day
weekend. We invite friends and family and enjoy outdoor
games, food, fellowship, and the local carnival games and
rides just a block away. Each year new friends join us. Last
year, Sid and Dawn Neddo and their children came. Kyle
Neddo, who is an eight-year-old blind child, was one of the
twelve children under the age of ten. He ate with the rest
of the kids, played with the rest of the kids, and went to
the carnival with the rest of the kids. Because Kyle and his
family are a part of our Federation family and because they
believe in and live our philosophy, Kyle has never been
excluded from children's activities.

During the barbecue never once did any of the children
question Kyle's abilities. Never once did they treat him
differently, and most important never once did they assume
there was something he couldn't do. The same is not true for
the adults watching the children play. Some wondered if Kyle
should be running; some worried that he would get hurt; some
marveled at all of the exceptional things he was able to do
(such as playing like any other eight-year-old).

One by one, the concerned adults realized that neither
Kyle's parents nor those of us who knew Kyle were concerned.
They began to understand a little bit of NFB philosophy--
Kyle is no different because he is blind, and he doesn't
need to be treated any differently because he is blind. The
next step is for these same adults to realize that Kyle is
not exceptional, nor has he overcome great adversity. Kyle,
like all of the other children, was just having fun being a
kid.

As we meet new people and try to spread our philosophy,
our ultimate goal is for everyone to understand the truth
just as simply as the children do--blindness does not make a
difference in who a person is, what he or she can do, or how
he or she should be treated. We have a long way to go, but
if each of us takes advantage of the opportunities presented
to us, our philosophy will prevail.